A Quantitative Survey of Online Impression Formation and Mate Preferences among Saudi Users of Matrimonial Websites

Matrimonial websites are an important element in the online interaction equation. Saudis can create a certain impression of themselves while indicating their potential preferences in a future spouse. Current research contributes to the Walther (1996) model by considering the message and the communication components: sender, channel, receiver, and feedback. Using a quantitative questionnaire survey (N = 302), the results provided an in- depth description of the script Saudi users follow when trying to find a potential spouse through matrimonial websites. Results found Saudi users differ by demographic variables in the self-presentation of their positive and negative attributes on matrimonial websites. The influence of the receivers’ factors differs according to demographic variables and has been partially confirmed; Saudi matrimonial website users have partially different mate preferences from those described by Buss and Schmitt (1993). In addition, male Saudis who use of matrimonial websites differ in their mate preferences according to their demographic variables, as results showed the role of six variables—age, tribe of origin, relationship status, educational level, income level, and religiosity level. Female Saudis who use matrimonial websites differ highly in their mate preferences according to their demographic variables because the results showed the role of all the aforementioned variables except relationship status.